The Stories/Eric Waldman: Difference between revisions

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__NOEDITSECTION__

~~'''~~Eric Waldman~~'''~~

{{Story soldier

|soldier=Waldman, Eric (01182990)

|name=Eric Waldman

|photo=Eric Waldman 6.png

}}

The biography and photographs on this page have been provided exclusively to us by Chris Waldmann and Heidi Kolstad, the children of Ritchie Boy [[Waldman, Eric (01182990)|Captain Eric Waldman]]. They hope, and we agree, that sharing their fathers story will inspire others to share stories of their family members who were Ritchie Boys.

'''The biography and photographs on this page have been provided exclusively to us by Chris Waldmann and Heidi Kolstad, the children of Ritchie Boy [[Waldman, Eric (01182990)|Captain Eric Waldman]]. They hope, and we agree, that sharing their fathers story will inspire others to share stories of their family members who were Ritchie Boys.'''

'''Soldier page:''' [[Waldman, Eric (01182990)|Eric Waldman]]

=== The Life And Times Of Ritchie Boy, Captain Eric Waldman ===

=== The Life And Times Of Ritchie Boy, [[Waldman, Eric (01182990)|Captain Eric Waldman]] ===

Erich Waldmann was born in Vienna, Austria September 21, 1914, in the Jewish quarter of Vienna. Their address has Franzensbrueckenstr. 19, Vienna, Austria from September 1914-Septmber 1938.

[[File:Eric Waldman 1.png|frameless|320px|alt=Building where the Waldmann family home was located in Vienna. The building is s]]

[[File:Eric Waldman 1.png|frameless|center|320px|alt=Building where the Waldmann family home was located in Vienna. The building is s]]

<div class="story-caption">''Building where the Waldmann family home was located in Vienna. The building is still standing.''</div>

</div>

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[[File:Eric Waldman 2.png|frameless|220px|alt=Jakob Lewi Leo Waldmann]]

[[File:Eric Waldman 2.png|frameless|center|220px|alt=Jakob Lewi Leo Waldmann]]

<div class="story-caption">''Jakob Lewi Leo Waldmann''</div>

</div>

[[File:Eric Waldman 3.png|frameless|220px|alt=Signum Laudis with swords, Military Merit Medal (Austria Hungary)]]

[[File:Eric Waldman 3.png|frameless|center|220px|alt=Signum Laudis with swords, Military Merit Medal (Austria Hungary)]]

<div class="story-caption">''Signum Laudis with swords, Military Merit Medal (Austria Hungary)''</div>

</div>

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[[File:Eric Waldman 4.png|frameless|220px|alt=Eric Waldman in the Mohave Dessert with some of his Army buddies]]

[[File:Eric Waldman 4.png|frameless|center|220px|alt=Eric Waldman in the Mohave Dessert with some of his Army buddies]]

<div class="story-caption">''Eric Waldman in the Mohave Dessert with some of his Army buddies''</div>

<div class="story-caption">''[[Waldman, Eric (01182990)|Eric Waldman]] in the Mohave Dessert with some of his Army buddies''</div>

</div>

[[File:Eric Waldman 5.png|frameless|220px|alt=Eric Waldman attending military training]]

[[File:Eric Waldman 5.png|frameless|center|220px|alt=Eric Waldman attending military training]]

<div class="story-caption">''Eric Waldman attending military training''</div>

<div class="story-caption">''[[Waldman, Eric (01182990)|Eric Waldman]] attending military training''</div>

</div>

[[File:Eric Waldman 6.png|frameless|220px|alt=Captain Eric Waldman]]

[[File:Eric Waldman 6.png|frameless|center|220px|alt=Captain Eric Waldman]]

<div class="story-caption">''Captain Eric Waldman''</div>

<div class="story-caption">''[[Waldman, Eric (01182990)|Captain Eric Waldman]]''</div>

</div>

[[File:Eric Waldman 7.png|frameless|220px|alt=Captain Eric Waldman and his Dachhund, Peter]]

[[File:Eric Waldman 7.png|frameless|center|220px|alt=Captain Eric Waldman and his Dachhund, Peter]]

<div class="story-caption">''Captain Eric Waldman and his Dachhund, Peter''</div>

<div class="story-caption">''[[Waldman, Eric (01182990)|Captain Eric Waldman]] and his Dachhund, Peter''</div>

</div>

Joining the Army Intelligence where he attended Military Intelligence Training Center (MITC) at Camp Ritchie, Maryland. He graduated in the 10 MITC class. Later he became an instructor at Camp Ritchie. During the year 1944-1945 he was in Military Branch, G-2 of the War Department as a specialist in German tactics. At the end of the war in May 1945 he was transferred to a section which was to produce a handbook on the Soviet Army for the Pentagon. In June 1945 he was informed by his superior, Dimitri Shimpkin that a group of high ranking German General and Staff officers (POWs) from Fremde Heere Ost (FHO) would be arriving at Fort Hunt (Interrogation Camp). Captain Waldman was transferred to Fort Hunt to take charge of them what was to become Bolero group. Major General Reinhard Gehlen had managed the German Eastern Front Intelligence Service (FHO) from 1942 to until nearly the end of the war. He along with his officers group arrived and were placed in the stockade at Fort Hunt near Alexandria, which was under the Captured Personnel and Materials Branch. Since the address was PO 1142, Alexandria, Va., it was commonly called “1142.” Gehlen brought a large amount of files with them and promptly set to work writing studies for G-2, which, because it had very little information on the USSR, was delighted. Studies, such as “Methods of the German Intelligence Service in Russia,” “Development of the Russian High Command and its Conception of Strategy During the Eastern Command,” and “Development and Establishment of the Russian Political Commissars within the Red Army” gave the United States, the United Kingdom, and their allies a jump start in understanding what potential threats the Soviet Union might pose in the near future. Randolph Zander, then a Major, later DAC, was active at 1142, as was George Kiesewalter. The original decision to make use of Gehlen, his people and files had probably been made by Brig. Gen. Edwin Sibert, G-2, USFET. Capt. John Boker, a Soviet OB specialist stationed in Europe.

Joining the Army Intelligence where he attended Military Intelligence Training Center (MITC) at Camp Ritchie, Maryland. He graduated in the 10 MITC class. Later he became an instructor at Camp Ritchie. During the year 1944-1945 he was in Military Branch, G-2 of the War Department as a specialist in German tactics. At the end of the war in May 1945 he was transferred to a section which was to produce a handbook on the Soviet Army for the Pentagon. In June 1945 he was informed by his superior, Dimitri Shimpkin that a group of high ranking German General and Staff officers (POWs) from Fremde Heere Ost (FHO) would be arriving at Fort Hunt (Interrogation Camp). Captain Waldman was transferred to Fort Hunt to take charge of them what was to become Bolero group. Major General Reinhard Gehlen had managed the German Eastern Front Intelligence Service (FHO) from 1942 to until nearly the end of the war. He along with his officers group arrived and were placed in the stockade at Fort Hunt near Alexandria, which was under the Captured Personnel and Materials Branch. Since the address was PO 1142, Alexandria, Va., it was commonly called “1142.” Gehlen brought a large amount of files with them and promptly set to work writing studies for G-2, which, because it had very little information on the USSR, was delighted. Studies, such as “Methods of the German Intelligence Service in Russia,” “Development of the Russian High Command and its Conception of Strategy During the Eastern Command,” and “Development and Establishment of the Russian Political Commissars within the Red Army” gave the United States, the United Kingdom, and their allies a jump start in understanding what potential threats the Soviet Union might pose in the near future. [[Zander, Randolph V. (0454822)|Randolph Zander]], then a Major, later DAC, was active at 1142, as was George Kiesewalter. The original decision to make use of Gehlen, his people and files had probably been made by Brig. Gen. Edwin Sibert, G-2, USFET. [[Boker, John R. Jr (01283197)|Capt. John Boker]], a Soviet OB specialist stationed in Europe.

[[Waldman, Eric (01182990)|Eric Waldman]] was specifically qualified to deal with Gehlen and his group. An intellectual and student of German political and military history, Waldman had retained his objectivity about political realities. Despite his own tragic family history, the fact that he was Austrian by birth gave him not only a linguistic and cultural advantage in working with a German. It gave him an appreciation of the depth and strength of the forces at work in Europe. Not only did Waldman believe that Gehlen’s people should be pressed into service in interpreting their documents, he fully supported the concept of reconstituting the group as an operating arm of American Intelligence in Germany. Waldman had left Gehlen behind in Fort Hunt and arrived at Oberursel in June 1946, to scout out the land and take stock of the situation. Shortly before Gehlen’s ship was due to dock Waldman discovered their destination and immediately set out to foil any possible “kidnaping” attempt by the French. He flew to Paris, then took a car to Le Havre, where he had his charges off the ship and safely in American custody within minutes of the gangplank being lowered. He was stationed over in Germany from 1946 to 1949 with G-2 Army Intelligence working with the Gehlen Organization.

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[[File:Eric Waldman 8.png|frameless|220px|alt=Lieutenant Eric Waldman, Military Intelligence Division, 22 November 1944 to 2 S]]

[[File:Eric Waldman 8.png|frameless|center|220px|alt=Lieutenant Eric Waldman, Military Intelligence Division, 22 November 1944 to 2 S]]

<div class="story-caption">''Lieutenant Eric Waldman, Military Intelligence Division, 22 November 1944 to 2 September 1945''</div>

<div class="story-caption">''Lieutenant [[Waldman, Eric (01182990)|Eric Waldman]], Military Intelligence Division, 22 November 1944 to 2 September 1945''</div>

</div>

[[File:Eric Waldman 9.png|frameless|220px|alt=Colonel Philips, Commanding Officer Camp King, then in Pullach with Jo Ann and E]]

[[File:Eric Waldman 9.png|frameless|center|220px|alt=Colonel Philips, Commanding Officer Camp King, then in Pullach with Jo Ann and E]]

<div class="story-caption">''Colonel Philips, Commanding Officer Camp King, then in Pullach with Jo Ann and Eric Waldman, 1949''</div>

<div class="story-caption">''Colonel Philips, Commanding Officer Camp King, then in Pullach with Jo Ann and [[Waldman, Eric (01182990)|Eric Waldman]], 1949''</div>

</div>

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[[File:Eric Waldman 10.png|frameless|220px|alt=Captain Eric Waldman with his co-pilot, Peter]]

[[File:Eric Waldman 10.png|frameless|center|220px|alt=Captain Eric Waldman with his co-pilot, Peter]]

<div class="story-caption">''Captain Eric Waldman with his co-pilot, Peter''</div>

<div class="story-caption">''[[Waldman, Eric (01182990)|Captain Eric Waldman]] with his co-pilot, Peter''</div>

</div>

[[File:Eric Waldman 11.png|frameless|220px|alt=Captain Eric Waldman in Germany]]

[[File:Eric Waldman 11.png|frameless|center|220px|alt=Captain Eric Waldman in Germany]]

<div class="story-caption">''Captain Eric Waldman in Germany''</div>

<div class="story-caption">''[[Waldman, Eric (01182990)|Captain Eric Waldman]] in Germany''</div>

</div>

[[File:Eric Waldman 12.png|frameless|220px|alt=Captain Eric Waldman on assignment in Rome]]

[[File:Eric Waldman 12.png|frameless|center|220px|alt=Captain Eric Waldman on assignment in Rome]]

<div class="story-caption">''Captain Eric Waldman on assignment in Rome''</div>

<div class="story-caption">''[[Waldman, Eric (01182990)|Captain Eric Waldman]] on assignment in Rome''</div>

</div>

[[File:Eric Waldman 13.png|frameless|220px|alt=Jo Ann & Eric Waldman in Esslingen, Germany]]

[[File:Eric Waldman 13.png|frameless|center|220px|alt=Jo Ann & Eric Waldman in Esslingen, Germany]]

<div class="story-caption">''Jo Ann & Eric Waldman in Esslingen, Germany''</div>

<div class="story-caption">''Jo Ann & [[Waldman, Eric (01182990)|Eric Waldman]] in Esslingen, Germany''</div>

</div>

[[File:Eric Waldman 14.png|frameless|220px|alt=War Department Citation, 1946]]

[[File:Eric Waldman 14.png|frameless|center|220px|alt=War Department Citation, 1946]]

<div class="story-caption">''War Department Citation, 1946''</div>

</div>

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[[File:Eric Waldman 15.png|frameless|320px|alt=Eric Waldman 15.png]]

[[File:Eric Waldman 15.png|frameless|center|320px|alt=Eric Waldman 15.png]]

</div>

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[[File:Eric Waldman 16.png|frameless|220px|alt=Eric Waldman Max-Engels Plaza East Berlin, Soviet Sector July 1961]]

[[File:Eric Waldman 16.png|frameless|center|220px|alt=Eric Waldman Max-Engels Plaza East Berlin, Soviet Sector July 1961]]

<div class="story-caption">''Eric Waldman Max-Engels Plaza East Berlin, Soviet Sector July 1961''</div>

<div class="story-caption">''[[Waldman, Eric (01182990)|Eric Waldman]] Max-Engels Plaza East Berlin, Soviet Sector July 1961''</div>

</div>

[[File:Eric Waldman 17.png|frameless|220px|alt=Maz-Engals Plaza East Berlin, Soviet Sector, July 1961]]

[[File:Eric Waldman 17.png|frameless|center|220px|alt=Maz-Engals Plaza East Berlin, Soviet Sector, July 1961]]

<div class="story-caption">''Maz-Engals Plaza East Berlin, Soviet Sector, July 1961''</div>

</div>

[[File:Eric Waldman 18.png|frameless|220px|alt=Jo Ann Waldman at Check Point Charlie]]

[[File:Eric Waldman 18.png|frameless|center|220px|alt=Jo Ann Waldman at Check Point Charlie]]

<div class="story-caption">''Jo Ann Waldman at Check Point Charlie''</div>

</div>

[[File:Eric Waldman 19.png|frameless|220px|alt=Berlin Wall]]

[[File:Eric Waldman 19.png|frameless|center|220px|alt=Berlin Wall]]

<div class="story-caption">''Berlin Wall''</div>

</div>

[[File:Eric Waldman 20.png|frameless|220px|alt=Brandenburg Gate 1961]]

[[File:Eric Waldman 20.png|frameless|center|220px|alt=Brandenburg Gate 1961]]

<div class="story-caption">''Brandenburg Gate 1961''</div>

</div>

[[File:Eric Waldman 21.png|frameless|220px|alt=No man’s land between East and West Germany]]

[[File:Eric Waldman 21.png|frameless|center|220px|alt=No man’s land between East and West Germany]]

<div class="story-caption">''No man’s land between East and West Germany''</div>

</div>

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[[File:Eric Waldman 22.png|frameless|320px|alt=Eric Waldman, Doctor of Philosophy, October 15, 1955]]

[[File:Eric Waldman 22.png|frameless|center|320px|alt=Eric Waldman, Doctor of Philosophy, October 15, 1955]]

<div class="story-caption">''Eric Waldman, Doctor of Philosophy, October 15, 1955''</div>

<div class="story-caption">''[[Waldman, Eric (01182990)|Eric Waldman]], Doctor of Philosophy, October 15, 1955''</div>

</div>

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[[File:Eric Waldman 23.png|frameless|220px|alt=Eric Waldman North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) presentation in Germany]]

[[File:Eric Waldman 23.png|frameless|center|220px|alt=Eric Waldman North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) presentation in Germany]]

<div class="story-caption">''Eric Waldman North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) presentation in Germany''</div>

<div class="story-caption">''[[Waldman, Eric (01182990)|Eric Waldman]] North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) presentation in Germany''</div>

</div>

[[File:Eric Waldman 24.png|frameless|220px|alt=Eric Waldman North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) presentation in Germany]]

[[File:Eric Waldman 24.png|frameless|center|220px|alt=Eric Waldman North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) presentation in Germany]]

<div class="story-caption">''Eric Waldman North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) presentation in Germany''</div>

<div class="story-caption">''[[Waldman, Eric (01182990)|Eric Waldman]] North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) presentation in Germany''</div>

</div>

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[[File:Eric Waldman 25.png|frameless|220px|alt=Dr. Eric Waldman]]

[[File:Eric Waldman 25.png|frameless|center|220px|alt=Dr. Eric Waldman]]

<div class="story-caption">''Dr. Eric Waldman''</div>

<div class="story-caption">''Dr. [[Waldman, Eric (01182990)|Eric Waldman]]''</div>

</div>

[[File:Eric Waldman 26.png|frameless|220px|alt=A Testimonial Dinner]]

[[File:Eric Waldman 26.png|frameless|center|220px|alt=A Testimonial Dinner]]

<div class="story-caption">''A Testimonial Dinner''</div>

</div>

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[[File:Eric Waldman 27.png|frameless|220px|alt=Verdienstkreuz Zweiter Klasse, Order of Merit Second Class, November 20, 1948]]

[[File:Eric Waldman 27.png|frameless|center|220px|alt=Verdienstkreuz Zweiter Klasse, Order of Merit Second Class, November 20, 1948]]

<div class="story-caption">''Verdienstkreuz Zweiter Klasse, Order of Merit Second Class, November 20, 1948''</div>

</div>

[[File:Eric Waldman 28.png|frameless|220px|alt=Elie Wiesel Award, May 2nd, 2022]]

[[File:Eric Waldman 28.png|frameless|center|220px|alt=Elie Wiesel Award, May 2nd, 2022]]

<div class="story-caption">''Elie Wiesel Award, May 2nd, 2022''</div>

</div>

[[File:Eric Waldman 29.png|frameless|220px|alt=Eric Waldman 29.png]]

[[File:Eric Waldman 29.png|frameless|center|220px|alt=Eric Waldman 29.png]]

</div>

[[File:Eric Waldman 30.png|frameless|220px|alt=Eric Waldman 30.png]]

[[File:Eric Waldman 30.png|frameless|center|220px|alt=Eric Waldman 30.png]]

</div>

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[[File:Eric Waldman 31.png|frameless|320px|alt=Debriefing of Eric Waldman 30 September 1969]]

[[File:Eric Waldman 31.png|frameless|center|320px|alt=Debriefing of Eric Waldman 30 September 1969]]

<div class="story-caption">''Debriefing of Eric Waldman 30 September 1969''</div>

<div class="story-caption">''Debriefing of [[Waldman, Eric (01182990)|Eric Waldman]] 30 September 1969''</div>

</div>

== See also ==

* [[Waldman, Eric (01182990)|Eric Waldman]] (soldier page)

* [[The Stories]]

* [[Camp Ritchie]]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+__NOEDITSECTION__
 {{DISPLAYTITLE:The Stories/Eric Waldman}}
-'''Eric Waldman'''
+{{Story soldier
+|soldier=Waldman, Eric (01182990)
+|name=Eric Waldman
+|photo=Eric Waldman 6.png
+}}
-The biography and photographs on this page have been provided exclusively to us by Chris Waldmann and Heidi Kolstad, the children of Ritchie Boy [[Waldman, Eric (01182990)|Captain Eric Waldman]]. They hope, and we agree, that sharing their fathers story will inspire others to share stories of their family members who were Ritchie Boys.
+'''The biography and photographs on this page have been provided exclusively to us by Chris Waldmann and Heidi Kolstad, the children of Ritchie Boy [[Waldman, Eric (01182990)|Captain Eric Waldman]]. They hope, and we agree, that sharing their fathers story will inspire others to share stories of their family members who were Ritchie Boys.'''
+'''Soldier page:''' [[Waldman, Eric (01182990)|Eric Waldman]]
-=== The Life And Times Of Ritchie Boy, Captain Eric Waldman ===
+=== The Life And Times Of Ritchie Boy, [[Waldman, Eric (01182990)|Captain Eric Waldman]] ===
 Erich Waldmann was born in Vienna, Austria September 21, 1914, in the Jewish quarter of Vienna. Their address has Franzensbrueckenstr. 19, Vienna, Austria from September 1914-Septmber 1938.
 <div class="story-figure">
-[[File:Eric Waldman 1.png|frameless|320px|alt=Building where the Waldmann family home was located in Vienna. The building is s]]
+[[File:Eric Waldman 1.png|frameless|center|320px|alt=Building where the Waldmann family home was located in Vienna. The building is s]]
 <div class="story-caption">''Building where the Waldmann family home was located in Vienna. The building is still standing.''</div>
 </div>
@@ Line 19: / Line 25: @@
 <div class="story-gallery">
 <div class="story-gallery-item">
-[[File:Eric Waldman 2.png|frameless|220px|alt=Jakob Lewi Leo Waldmann]]
+[[File:Eric Waldman 2.png|frameless|center|220px|alt=Jakob Lewi Leo Waldmann]]
 <div class="story-caption">''Jakob Lewi Leo Waldmann''</div>
 </div>
 <div class="story-gallery-item">
-[[File:Eric Waldman 3.png|frameless|220px|alt=Signum Laudis with swords, Military Merit Medal (Austria Hungary)]]
+[[File:Eric Waldman 3.png|frameless|center|220px|alt=Signum Laudis with swords, Military Merit Medal (Austria Hungary)]]
 <div class="story-caption">''Signum Laudis with swords, Military Merit Medal (Austria Hungary)''</div>
 </div>
@@ Line 46: / Line 52: @@
 <div class="story-gallery">
 <div class="story-gallery-item">
-[[File:Eric Waldman 4.png|frameless|220px|alt=Eric Waldman in the Mohave Dessert with some of his Army buddies]]
+[[File:Eric Waldman 4.png|frameless|center|220px|alt=Eric Waldman in the Mohave Dessert with some of his Army buddies]]
-<div class="story-caption">''Eric Waldman in the Mohave Dessert with some of his Army buddies''</div>
+<div class="story-caption">''[[Waldman, Eric (01182990)|Eric Waldman]] in the Mohave Dessert with some of his Army buddies''</div>
 </div>
 <div class="story-gallery-item">
-[[File:Eric Waldman 5.png|frameless|220px|alt=Eric Waldman attending military training]]
+[[File:Eric Waldman 5.png|frameless|center|220px|alt=Eric Waldman attending military training]]
-<div class="story-caption">''Eric Waldman attending military training''</div>
+<div class="story-caption">''[[Waldman, Eric (01182990)|Eric Waldman]] attending military training''</div>
 </div>
 <div class="story-gallery-item">
-[[File:Eric Waldman 6.png|frameless|220px|alt=Captain Eric Waldman]]
+[[File:Eric Waldman 6.png|frameless|center|220px|alt=Captain Eric Waldman]]
-<div class="story-caption">''Captain Eric Waldman''</div>
+<div class="story-caption">''[[Waldman, Eric (01182990)|Captain Eric Waldman]]''</div>
 </div>
 <div class="story-gallery-item">
-[[File:Eric Waldman 7.png|frameless|220px|alt=Captain Eric Waldman and his Dachhund, Peter]]
+[[File:Eric Waldman 7.png|frameless|center|220px|alt=Captain Eric Waldman and his Dachhund, Peter]]
-<div class="story-caption">''Captain Eric Waldman and his Dachhund, Peter''</div>
+<div class="story-caption">''[[Waldman, Eric (01182990)|Captain Eric Waldman]] and his Dachhund, Peter''</div>
 </div>
 </div>
-Joining the Army Intelligence where he attended Military Intelligence Training Center (MITC) at Camp Ritchie, Maryland. He graduated in the 10 MITC class. Later he became an instructor at Camp Ritchie. During the year 1944-1945 he was in Military Branch, G-2 of the War Department as a specialist in German tactics. At the end of the war in May 1945 he was transferred to a section which was to produce a handbook on the Soviet Army for the Pentagon. In June 1945 he was informed by his superior, Dimitri Shimpkin that a group of high ranking German General and Staff officers (POWs) from Fremde Heere Ost (FHO) would be arriving at Fort Hunt (Interrogation Camp). Captain Waldman was transferred to Fort Hunt to take charge of them what was to become Bolero group. Major General Reinhard Gehlen had managed the German Eastern Front Intelligence Service (FHO) from 1942 to until nearly the end of the war. He along with his officers group arrived and were placed in the stockade at Fort Hunt near Alexandria, which was under the Captured Personnel and Materials Branch. Since the address was PO 1142, Alexandria, Va., it was commonly called “1142.” Gehlen brought a large amount of files with them and promptly set to work writing studies for G-2, which, because it had very little information on the USSR, was delighted. Studies, such as “Methods of the German Intelligence Service in Russia,” “Development of the Russian High Command and its Conception of Strategy During the Eastern Command,” and “Development and Establishment of the Russian Political Commissars within the Red Army” gave the United States, the United Kingdom, and their allies a jump start in understanding what potential threats the Soviet Union might pose in the near future. Randolph Zander, then a Major, later DAC, was active at 1142, as was George Kiesewalter. The original decision to make use of Gehlen, his people and files had probably been made by Brig. Gen. Edwin Sibert, G-2, USFET. Capt. John Boker, a Soviet OB specialist stationed in Europe.
+Joining the Army Intelligence where he attended Military Intelligence Training Center (MITC) at Camp Ritchie, Maryland. He graduated in the 10 MITC class. Later he became an instructor at Camp Ritchie. During the year 1944-1945 he was in Military Branch, G-2 of the War Department as a specialist in German tactics. At the end of the war in May 1945 he was transferred to a section which was to produce a handbook on the Soviet Army for the Pentagon. In June 1945 he was informed by his superior, Dimitri Shimpkin that a group of high ranking German General and Staff officers (POWs) from Fremde Heere Ost (FHO) would be arriving at Fort Hunt (Interrogation Camp). Captain Waldman was transferred to Fort Hunt to take charge of them what was to become Bolero group. Major General Reinhard Gehlen had managed the German Eastern Front Intelligence Service (FHO) from 1942 to until nearly the end of the war. He along with his officers group arrived and were placed in the stockade at Fort Hunt near Alexandria, which was under the Captured Personnel and Materials Branch. Since the address was PO 1142, Alexandria, Va., it was commonly called “1142.” Gehlen brought a large amount of files with them and promptly set to work writing studies for G-2, which, because it had very little information on the USSR, was delighted. Studies, such as “Methods of the German Intelligence Service in Russia,” “Development of the Russian High Command and its Conception of Strategy During the Eastern Command,” and “Development and Establishment of the Russian Political Commissars within the Red Army” gave the United States, the United Kingdom, and their allies a jump start in understanding what potential threats the Soviet Union might pose in the near future. [[Zander, Randolph V. (0454822)|Randolph Zander]], then a Major, later DAC, was active at 1142, as was George Kiesewalter. The original decision to make use of Gehlen, his people and files had probably been made by Brig. Gen. Edwin Sibert, G-2, USFET. [[Boker, John R. Jr (01283197)|Capt. John Boker]], a Soviet OB specialist stationed in Europe.
 [[Waldman, Eric (01182990)|Eric Waldman]] was specifically qualified to deal with Gehlen and his group. An intellectual and student of German political and military history, Waldman had retained his objectivity about political realities. Despite his own tragic family history, the fact that he was Austrian by birth gave him not only a linguistic and cultural advantage in working with a German. It gave him an appreciation of the depth and strength of the forces at work in Europe. Not only did Waldman believe that Gehlen’s people should be pressed into service in interpreting their documents, he fully supported the concept of reconstituting the group as an operating arm of American Intelligence in Germany. Waldman had left Gehlen behind in Fort Hunt and arrived at Oberursel in June 1946, to scout out the land and take stock of the situation. Shortly before Gehlen’s ship was due to dock Waldman discovered their destination and immediately set out to foil any possible “kidnaping” attempt by the French. He flew to Paris, then took a car to Le Havre, where he had his charges off the ship and safely in American custody within minutes of the gangplank being lowered. He was stationed over in Germany from 1946 to 1949 with G-2 Army Intelligence working with the Gehlen Organization.
@@ Line 69: / Line 75: @@
 <div class="story-gallery">
 <div class="story-gallery-item">
-[[File:Eric Waldman 8.png|frameless|220px|alt=Lieutenant Eric Waldman, Military Intelligence Division, 22 November 1944 to 2 S]]
+[[File:Eric Waldman 8.png|frameless|center|220px|alt=Lieutenant Eric Waldman, Military Intelligence Division, 22 November 1944 to 2 S]]
-<div class="story-caption">''Lieutenant Eric Waldman, Military Intelligence Division, 22 November 1944 to 2 September 1945''</div>
+<div class="story-caption">''Lieutenant [[Waldman, Eric (01182990)|Eric Waldman]], Military Intelligence Division, 22 November 1944 to 2 September 1945''</div>
 </div>
 <div class="story-gallery-item">
-[[File:Eric Waldman 9.png|frameless|220px|alt=Colonel Philips, Commanding Officer Camp King, then in Pullach with Jo Ann and E]]
+[[File:Eric Waldman 9.png|frameless|center|220px|alt=Colonel Philips, Commanding Officer Camp King, then in Pullach with Jo Ann and E]]
-<div class="story-caption">''Colonel Philips, Commanding Officer Camp King, then in Pullach with Jo Ann and Eric Waldman, 1949''</div>
+<div class="story-caption">''Colonel Philips, Commanding Officer Camp King, then in Pullach with Jo Ann and [[Waldman, Eric (01182990)|Eric Waldman]], 1949''</div>
 </div>
 </div>
@@ Line 84: / Line 90: @@
 <div class="story-gallery">
 <div class="story-gallery-item">
-[[File:Eric Waldman 10.png|frameless|220px|alt=Captain Eric Waldman with his co-pilot, Peter]]
+[[File:Eric Waldman 10.png|frameless|center|220px|alt=Captain Eric Waldman with his co-pilot, Peter]]
-<div class="story-caption">''Captain Eric Waldman with his co-pilot, Peter''</div>
+<div class="story-caption">''[[Waldman, Eric (01182990)|Captain Eric Waldman]] with his co-pilot, Peter''</div>
 </div>
 <div class="story-gallery-item">
-[[File:Eric Waldman 11.png|frameless|220px|alt=Captain Eric Waldman in Germany]]
+[[File:Eric Waldman 11.png|frameless|center|220px|alt=Captain Eric Waldman in Germany]]
-<div class="story-caption">''Captain Eric Waldman in Germany''</div>
+<div class="story-caption">''[[Waldman, Eric (01182990)|Captain Eric Waldman]] in Germany''</div>
 </div>
 <div class="story-gallery-item">
-[[File:Eric Waldman 12.png|frameless|220px|alt=Captain Eric Waldman on assignment in Rome]]
+[[File:Eric Waldman 12.png|frameless|center|220px|alt=Captain Eric Waldman on assignment in Rome]]
-<div class="story-caption">''Captain Eric Waldman on assignment in Rome''</div>
+<div class="story-caption">''[[Waldman, Eric (01182990)|Captain Eric Waldman]] on assignment in Rome''</div>
 </div>
 <div class="story-gallery-item">
-[[File:Eric Waldman 13.png|frameless|220px|alt=Jo Ann & Eric Waldman in Esslingen, Germany]]
+[[File:Eric Waldman 13.png|frameless|center|220px|alt=Jo Ann & Eric Waldman in Esslingen, Germany]]
-<div class="story-caption">''Jo Ann & Eric Waldman in Esslingen, Germany''</div>
+<div class="story-caption">''Jo Ann & [[Waldman, Eric (01182990)|Eric Waldman]] in Esslingen, Germany''</div>
 </div>
 <div class="story-gallery-item">
-[[File:Eric Waldman 14.png|frameless|220px|alt=War Department Citation, 1946]]
+[[File:Eric Waldman 14.png|frameless|center|220px|alt=War Department Citation, 1946]]
 <div class="story-caption">''War Department Citation, 1946''</div>
 </div>
@@ Line 110: / Line 116: @@
 <div class="story-figure">
-[[File:Eric Waldman 15.png|frameless|320px|alt=Eric Waldman 15.png]]
+[[File:Eric Waldman 15.png|frameless|center|320px|alt=Eric Waldman 15.png]]
 </div>
@@ Line 117: / Line 123: @@
 <div class="story-gallery">
 <div class="story-gallery-item">
-[[File:Eric Waldman 16.png|frameless|220px|alt=Eric Waldman Max-Engels Plaza East Berlin, Soviet Sector July 1961]]
+[[File:Eric Waldman 16.png|frameless|center|220px|alt=Eric Waldman Max-Engels Plaza East Berlin, Soviet Sector July 1961]]
-<div class="story-caption">''Eric Waldman Max-Engels Plaza East Berlin, Soviet Sector July 1961''</div>
+<div class="story-caption">''[[Waldman, Eric (01182990)|Eric Waldman]] Max-Engels Plaza East Berlin, Soviet Sector July 1961''</div>
 </div>
 <div class="story-gallery-item">
-[[File:Eric Waldman 17.png|frameless|220px|alt=Maz-Engals Plaza East Berlin, Soviet Sector, July 1961]]
+[[File:Eric Waldman 17.png|frameless|center|220px|alt=Maz-Engals Plaza East Berlin, Soviet Sector, July 1961]]
 <div class="story-caption">''Maz-Engals Plaza East Berlin, Soviet Sector, July 1961''</div>
 </div>
 <div class="story-gallery-item">
-[[File:Eric Waldman 18.png|frameless|220px|alt=Jo Ann Waldman at Check Point Charlie]]
+[[File:Eric Waldman 18.png|frameless|center|220px|alt=Jo Ann Waldman at Check Point Charlie]]
 <div class="story-caption">''Jo Ann Waldman at Check Point Charlie''</div>
 </div>
 <div class="story-gallery-item">
-[[File:Eric Waldman 19.png|frameless|220px|alt=Berlin Wall]]
+[[File:Eric Waldman 19.png|frameless|center|220px|alt=Berlin Wall]]
 <div class="story-caption">''Berlin Wall''</div>
 </div>
 <div class="story-gallery-item">
-[[File:Eric Waldman 20.png|frameless|220px|alt=Brandenburg Gate 1961]]
+[[File:Eric Waldman 20.png|frameless|center|220px|alt=Brandenburg Gate 1961]]
 <div class="story-caption">''Brandenburg Gate 1961''</div>
 </div>
 <div class="story-gallery-item">
-[[File:Eric Waldman 21.png|frameless|220px|alt=No man’s land between East and West Germany]]
+[[File:Eric Waldman 21.png|frameless|center|220px|alt=No man’s land between East and West Germany]]
 <div class="story-caption">''No man’s land between East and West Germany''</div>
 </div>
@@ Line 145: / Line 151: @@
 <div class="story-figure">
-[[File:Eric Waldman 22.png|frameless|320px|alt=Eric Waldman, Doctor of Philosophy, October 15, 1955]]
+[[File:Eric Waldman 22.png|frameless|center|320px|alt=Eric Waldman, Doctor of Philosophy, October 15, 1955]]
-<div class="story-caption">''Eric Waldman, Doctor of Philosophy, October 15, 1955''</div>
+<div class="story-caption">''[[Waldman, Eric (01182990)|Eric Waldman]], Doctor of Philosophy, October 15, 1955''</div>
 </div>
@@ Line 153: / Line 159: @@
 <div class="story-gallery">
 <div class="story-gallery-item">
-[[File:Eric Waldman 23.png|frameless|220px|alt=Eric Waldman North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) presentation in Germany]]
+[[File:Eric Waldman 23.png|frameless|center|220px|alt=Eric Waldman North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) presentation in Germany]]
-<div class="story-caption">''Eric Waldman North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) presentation in Germany''</div>
+<div class="story-caption">''[[Waldman, Eric (01182990)|Eric Waldman]] North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) presentation in Germany''</div>
 </div>
 <div class="story-gallery-item">
-[[File:Eric Waldman 24.png|frameless|220px|alt=Eric Waldman North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) presentation in Germany]]
+[[File:Eric Waldman 24.png|frameless|center|220px|alt=Eric Waldman North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) presentation in Germany]]
-<div class="story-caption">''Eric Waldman North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) presentation in Germany''</div>
+<div class="story-caption">''[[Waldman, Eric (01182990)|Eric Waldman]] North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) presentation in Germany''</div>
 </div>
 </div>
@@ Line 176: / Line 182: @@
 <div class="story-gallery">
 <div class="story-gallery-item">
-[[File:Eric Waldman 25.png|frameless|220px|alt=Dr. Eric Waldman]]
+[[File:Eric Waldman 25.png|frameless|center|220px|alt=Dr. Eric Waldman]]
-<div class="story-caption">''Dr. Eric Waldman''</div>
+<div class="story-caption">''Dr. [[Waldman, Eric (01182990)|Eric Waldman]]''</div>
 </div>
 <div class="story-gallery-item">
-[[File:Eric Waldman 26.png|frameless|220px|alt=A Testimonial Dinner]]
+[[File:Eric Waldman 26.png|frameless|center|220px|alt=A Testimonial Dinner]]
 <div class="story-caption">''A Testimonial Dinner''</div>
 </div>
@@ Line 195: / Line 201: @@
 <div class="story-gallery">
 <div class="story-gallery-item">
-[[File:Eric Waldman 27.png|frameless|220px|alt=Verdienstkreuz Zweiter Klasse, Order of Merit Second Class, November 20, 1948]]
+[[File:Eric Waldman 27.png|frameless|center|220px|alt=Verdienstkreuz Zweiter Klasse, Order of Merit Second Class, November 20, 1948]]
 <div class="story-caption">''Verdienstkreuz Zweiter Klasse, Order of Merit Second Class, November 20, 1948''</div>
 </div>
 <div class="story-gallery-item">
-[[File:Eric Waldman 28.png|frameless|220px|alt=Elie Wiesel Award, May 2nd, 2022]]
+[[File:Eric Waldman 28.png|frameless|center|220px|alt=Elie Wiesel Award, May 2nd, 2022]]
 <div class="story-caption">''Elie Wiesel Award, May 2nd, 2022''</div>
 </div>
 <div class="story-gallery-item">
-[[File:Eric Waldman 29.png|frameless|220px|alt=Eric Waldman 29.png]]
+[[File:Eric Waldman 29.png|frameless|center|220px|alt=Eric Waldman 29.png]]
 </div>
 <div class="story-gallery-item">
-[[File:Eric Waldman 30.png|frameless|220px|alt=Eric Waldman 30.png]]
+[[File:Eric Waldman 30.png|frameless|center|220px|alt=Eric Waldman 30.png]]
 </div>
 </div>
@@ Line 213: / Line 219: @@
 <div class="story-figure">
-[[File:Eric Waldman 31.png|frameless|320px|alt=Debriefing of Eric Waldman 30 September 1969]]
+[[File:Eric Waldman 31.png|frameless|center|320px|alt=Debriefing of Eric Waldman 30 September 1969]]
-<div class="story-caption">''Debriefing of Eric Waldman 30 September 1969''</div>
+<div class="story-caption">''Debriefing of [[Waldman, Eric (01182990)|Eric Waldman]] 30 September 1969''</div>
 </div>
 == See also ==
+* [[Waldman, Eric (01182990)|Eric Waldman]] (soldier page)
 * [[The Stories]]
 * [[Camp Ritchie]]